Reverse osmosis cartridge life on high-TDS feed water
Reverse osmosis cartridge life was short at two 65 m³/h reverse osmosis systems in the Middle East, treating feed water at 8,000 to 12,000 TDS. The membranes carried bacteria and biofouling, cartridges clogged frequently, the plant shut down regularly for disinfection, and recovery ratios were unstable. In December 2017 three HydroFLOW® i100 units were installed on the three inch raw water feed and post high-pressure pump lines. Biofouling and bacterial activity fell and membrane condition improved. Recovery stabilised at 81%, disinfection shutdowns were reduced, and cartridges now last 250 days.
The Challenge
- Reverse osmosis cartridge life was short, with frequent clogging
- Bacteria and biofouling were present in the membranes
- Regular shutdowns were needed for disinfection
- Recovery ratios were unstable
- Feed water ran at 8,000 to 12,000 TDS
The Solution
- Units installed: three HydroFLOW® i100
- Installation point: raw water feed and post high-pressure pump lines
- Pipe size: three inch
- Installed: December 2017
- Feed water: 8,000 to 12,000 TDS, two 65 m³/h systems
Units were placed both before and after the high-pressure pump, so the raw feed and the membrane inlet were treated separately. Treatment reduced biofouling and bacterial activity, which stabilised recovery and improved membrane condition. The plant operators logged cartridge changes and recovery daily, so the reverse osmosis cartridge life of 250 days comes from their own records rather than an estimate.
